American Goulash is a one-pot comfort food recipe made with ground beef and elbow macaroni simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce. This easy recipe is an inexpensive way to feed your family on a budget!
Heat the oil in the dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, saute the onion until it begins to soften (about 3 minutes). Then, add in the ground beef and garlic.
Continue cooking over medium-high heat until there is very little pink left in the ground beef and the meat is crumbled. Drain the fat if necessary.
To make the sauce, add the broth, water, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes to the dutch oven with the ground beef. Stir well to combine.
Add in the Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, and salt and pepper to the pot and stir. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
When the pot is simmering, add in the uncooked macaroni and bring to simmer once again. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the macaroni is tender, about 12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Finally, fold in the cheese and stir until it is completely melted in the sauce.
Notes
Reheating / Storing / Leftovers Info:
If you have leftovers, they are best stored separately from the pasta. The noodles will absorb the liquid leaving you with dry goulash and soggy noodles. If you are planning for leftovers, cook the pasta separately. Store in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.The same advice goes for freezing goulash. Add the leftovers to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. To defrost, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm.
Ingredient substitutions
Stewed tomatoes, petite diced, and whole peeled tomatoes can be used in place of diced tomatoes. Avoid using puree or crushed as it might make the dish too soupy. Additionally, try flavored canned tomatoes like Italian style, fire roasted, etc.Other ideas include different types of cheddar, Monterrey jack, Italian blend, Mexican blend, etc.Instead of ground beef, use ground turkey, pork, chicken, or ground meat.Use beef stock instead of broth.
Other Tips
Stir in a spoonful of sour cream at the end.
Add a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce for extra spice.
Hot, smoky, or sweet paprika can be used.
Alternatively, the pasta can be prepared separately from the goulash. Follow the instructions on the packaging. Then, stir in the cooked pasta, OR add the pasta to the bottom of each bowl before adding the goulash on top.